Cardiac - Non-Invasive Testing

Service Locations

Non-invasive cardiac procedures are performed with the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Tests are available for both inpatients and outpatients and include:

NOTE: All outpatient testing requires a physician’s prescription.

Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)

CTA's 64-slice technology offers advantages for assessing the cardiovascular system, including the ability to scan the heart within five seconds to provide high quality images of the heart and coronary arteries with remarkable resolution. CTA is available at Buffalo General Medical Center and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Cardioversion

A procedure that quickly restores normal heart rhythm by delivering an electrical shock to the heart.

Echocardiography

A procedure utilizing high-frequency sound waves to create a moving picture outline of the heart's chambers and valves. It is used to check the blood flow through valves and determine if there are any leaks or blockages.

Education and community outreach to improve detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases for women and families.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

A test used to demonstrate how electrical impulses flow in and out of the heart to detect abnormalities or other heart conditions, including ischemic heart disease.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

Similar to a standard echocardiogram, with the exception that a transducer is passed through the esophagus and positioned directly behind the heart.

Event Recorder

A device worn by patients that is used to record and collect data during an episode of chest pain or other heart-related symptoms.

Holter Monitor

A device that is attached to a patient's chest to record/transmit data about the heart’s rhythm to help determine the presence of irregular heart beats, how long the beats last and what may be causing the irregularity.

Stress Testing

A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill or an exercise test, helps a patient’s doctor see how well his or her heart works during physical activity. As the body works harder during the test or during physical exertion, it needs more oxygen and energy. To meet this demand the heart must beat faster and harder. The test shows if the patient’s heart gets enough blood from its own arteries to work harder, safely.

Nuclear Stress Testing

A nuclear stress test combines the treadmill portion of stress testing with images recorded on computerized gamma cameras. Small doses of a radioactive substance (called a tracer) are injected into a patient’s bloodstream, which only the camera can detect, to show how well blood flows through the heart muscle.

Tilt Table Test (Available at Buffalo General Medical Center)

This test monitors blood pressure and heart rate. The patient lies flat on a table, which is tilted, to raise the upper part of the body. The changing angle puts stress on the part of the nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure, allowing doctors to evaluate how the body responds.